Gunfights have erupted in Jenin in the north of the occupied West Bank between fighters and Palestinian security forces following the theft of vehicles belonging to the Palestinian Authority, according to AFP journalists in the city.

The intense exchanges of fire began around 9:30pm (7:30pm GMT) and followed the deployment of members of the security forces around the Jenin refugee camp, which is adjacent to the city and a stronghold for armed groups in the territory, according to the journalist.

Witnesses reported that the Palestinian security forces set up roadblocks on routes leaving the camp. Tensions were running high in Jenin earlier in the day after a group of armed men seized two vehicles belonging to the PA and paraded through the streets waving Islamic Jihad flags.

In a statement, General Anwar Rajab, spokesman for the security forces, said “a group of outlaws opened fire on the headquarters of the security services” and stole two vehicles. He said the security forces would “recover the vehicles and hold accountable anyone who committed this act”.